Breathing and Meditation
Qigong
Today, Qigong is enjoying recognition. Modern science agrees that the relaxation and qigong regulate the activity of the cerebral cortex, thereby reducing stress and allowing the body to function more efficiently.
"Qigong" is a part of China's cultural heritage and according to written records, has a history of 2000 to 3000 years. "Qigong literally means Qi-energy, breath and Gong-skill, work. It consists of exercise for relaxation, for training respiration and breath control, and for mental regulation also known as meditation.
Qigong can be divided into external and internal, moving and standing, sitting, reclining and laying, sound and silence, rubbing and pressing. There are many varied schools of Qigong. One school teaches precise techniques of controlled breathing combined with slow exercises, while another advocates meditation by concentration on certain points of the body. A third school teaches exercises, which imitates the movement of animals. Our philosophy is that we are researchers and can learn from all.
Qigong calls for unity of mind, posture and respiration regulation with these three forms complementing each other. Regulation of mind keeps the cerebral cortex in a state of inhibition so that the central nervous system may "feel with awareness" to adjust and balance the regulation of the body.
Qigong Therapy involves balancing the body's yin and yang, keeping the arteries, veins and meridians open, bringing about the inter-flow of all the circulatory systems of the human body: blood, respiratory, meridians—qi.
Qigong practice can increase immunity to disease and the metabolic rate. This art of controlling breath and movement invigorates the spirit, improves the function of the nervous system and exercises the body's internal organs.
Qigong for Health
Chi Kung - literally "Energy Cultivation" - is the practice of concentrating chi - energy - and moving it to target joints and organs. Chi Kung, when combined with Tai Chi Chuan, has been known to help with a number of different maladies, including arthritis, hypertension, autoimmune deficiencies, heart disease, and IBS.
At the root of Chi Kung, we learn different methods of breathing to capture energy into the abdomen, the tan t'ien - field of elixir. Through meditative thought and gentle motions, we learn to move the chi through our bodies. As Chi Kung can be practiced anywhere and requires no special equipment, it is an ideal and simple way to improve your health. Our students find that they have more vitality quickly as the exercises are specifically designed to improve oxygen levels in the blood.
--Author unknown.